The House rejected a censure motion against Delegate Stacey Plaskett over text exchanges linked to Jeffrey Epstein, losing 209-214, with three Republicans opposing and three recording "present." Some conservative Republicans accused leadership of making a secret deal with Democrats to spare Plaskett in exchange for dropping a planned censure of Rep. Cory Mills, though no evidence has been produced. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s attempt to force an explanation from Speaker Mike Johnson was ruled out of order, and GOP members including Lauren Boebert, Kat Cammack and Nancy Mace publicly criticized the outcome. The dispute has deepened tensions within the Republican conference and raises questions about accountability and floor-vote discipline.
GOP Infighting After Failed Censure of Del. Stacey Plaskett Over Epstein Texts
The House rejected a censure motion against Delegate Stacey Plaskett over text exchanges linked to Jeffrey Epstein, losing 209-214, with three Republicans opposing and three recording "present." Some conservative Republicans accused leadership of making a secret deal with Democrats to spare Plaskett in exchange for dropping a planned censure of Rep. Cory Mills, though no evidence has been produced. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s attempt to force an explanation from Speaker Mike Johnson was ruled out of order, and GOP members including Lauren Boebert, Kat Cammack and Nancy Mace publicly criticized the outcome. The dispute has deepened tensions within the Republican conference and raises questions about accountability and floor-vote discipline.
05:16 PM, 11/19/2025Politics
A failed effort in the House to censure Democratic Delegate Stacey Plaskett over text exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing set off sharp recriminations among House Republicans on Tuesday. Several conservative members accused party leaders of striking a secret bargain with Democrats to shield a Republican lawmaker from a separate rebuke.
Plaskett, the non-voting delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, avoided a formal House reprimand after the censure motion was defeated 209-214. Three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure, and three other Republicans recorded themselves as "present."
Some conservatives alleged that Republicans quietly agreed with Democrats to spare Plaskett in exchange for Democrats dropping a planned retaliation measure against Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills, who has faced multiple controversies during his time in Congress. Democrats had prepared a resolution targeting Mills and said they would bring it up if the House moved to censure Plaskett; they withdrew that planned action after the censure failed.
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna sought to force an explanation from Speaker Mike Johnson on the House floor, asking why "leadership on both sides, both Democrat and Republican, are cutting back end deals to cover up public corruption in the House of Representatives." Her request was ruled out of order for not following proper procedures.
From the floor, Rep. Lauren Boebert vocally backed Luna, shouting "get it girl!" and earlier criticized members of her own party after the unsuccessful effort to censure Plaskett.
Other Republicans, including Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, publicly denounced what they described as a backroom agreement on social media, though none provided evidence of a formal deal between the parties. Florida Rep. Kat Cammack wrote that "a handful of Republicans took a dive on a vote to strip Stacey Plaskett of her position on House intelligence because of her ties to Epstein," adding that the alleged arrangement was "swampy, wrong and always deserves to be called out." South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace also posted to protest what she labeled "another backroom deal."
At this stage, there is no public documentation or corroborated reporting showing a negotiated agreement between party leaders. The episode has nonetheless intensified tensions within the Republican conference and highlighted frustrations among conservatives who say leadership failed to hold members accountable on high-profile ethics questions.
What to watch next: GOP leaders will face pressure to explain the votes and the decision-making process, while conservatives may press for procedural or personnel changes if grievances persist.